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Archive for June, 2013

This week I’m going to start off with two very special Fire In The Booth sessions. If you don’t know what it is, it was started by Charlie Sloth on BBC Radio 1Xtra and showcases the cream of UK MCs where they get to display their best lyrics. SN1’s Gunna Dee who recently released a mixtape ‘Hustler By Nature 2’ was up first. Keeping up the heat surrounding the tape, it was only right he went on the show…

North London rapper Squeeks dropped his first Fire In The Booth in 2011; two years on he returned for the second installment, really showcasing his progression since the first one. He makes this epic freestyle look effortless.

i Records are keeping it busy with two releases from the label this week.

Dru Blu keeps up the work level staying consistent by releasing another net video courtesy of Rap City TV. Keeping it real as always with this street banger, he tells us his reasons for working hard; ‘Rude boy I ain’t rich yet so what the f**k should I rest for.”

Snap Capone’s mixtape ‘Return Of The Shooter’ is the second release from i Records family. You might have seen some videos and freestyles of his recently leading up to this 25-track tape which sees him discussing life on the streets and in particular his own life. This is a hard road rap release and isn’t for the light hearted.

Producer Bayoz Muzik dropped the fourth video off his ‘Death Of A Beatmaker’ EP. ‘F U Pay Me Now’ features Tigger Da Author, Paigey Cakey and Tzy. Bayoz is known for producing beats for UK rapper Giggs as well as many others and his EP features J Spades, Blade Brown and more.

Wretch 32 caused a stir last week as he released the audio to his second single ‘Doing OK’ which comes after ‘Blackout’ featuring Shakka from his forthcoming third album. This time it features Jacob Banks, who is also part of the Renowned group. The album has no release date yet but is set to be released this year via Ministry Of Sound.

Future Grime Music is not just in safe hands but it has been scooped up, nurtured and given some almighty attention from one of the biggest Grime DJ’s in the UK: BBC 1Xtra’s DJ Cameo. Hosting his #GimmeGrime feature as part of his 1Xtra show every Tuesday at 10pm; DJ Cameo is now filming a series of freestyles focusing on the new faces of the Grime scene aka #FGM (Future Grime Music) which will be premiered via 1Xtra’s very own YouTube page each week. This week Marvell dropped a freestyle with Double S doing a solo.

Myself and The Wrap Up’s editor went to Funny Tummy’s art exhibition on Sunday (16), which was held in the Royal Albert Hall. The artist rose to fame after creating an illustration of Rihanna which led to her wanting to find out more about him. He has since worked on art for Adidas and Universal and has done covers for music artists such as Tinie Tempah and Wretch 32. Artists present at the private launch were Wretch 32, Chip, G FrSH, Fuze BW, Mayhem and more…

I spoke to G FrSH and he said: “I think there is a big market for ‘urban artists’ art; it’s objective, it’s in the eyes of the beholder, so it doesn’t matter where it originates from… as long as it gives you a feeling you like or enjoyment.”

Look out for the review coming soon…

G FrSH is a name who has been on everyone’s lips recently. The rapper, who is part of the Disturbing London family, recently released his ‘Legoman II’ mixtape and last week took to Noisey to give them the exclusive of a slick visual off the tape for ‘Never Can I’.

In an exclusive freestyle for Virgin Red Rooms, lyricist Akala was given certain words he had to include in his bars; oblong, symbiotic, condominium, poached eggs, phoenix and disruptor. They weren’t easy words, but of course Akala made it look like light work.

South London’s Marshall McFly gets his iRecords label mate Dru Blu to feature on latest track ‘Cops and Robbers’ along with Youngs Teflon. This is a big street track and all three spit hard and fiery verses with strong deliveries.

From Geko’s debut mixtape ‘Voice Of The Future’ which was released in December comes the video to ‘The Note’, a mature and well-developed track from someone so young. Happy sweet 16th to the rapper, whose birthday it was last week.

L Marshall releases his free, highly anticipated project Kiss The Fire. Kiss The Fire’which is described as neither an EP nor a mixtape, shows L Marshall’s true self as an artist as he gives this project away to his fans as a gift.

It demonstrates his ability to write captivating songs most specifically I.L.Y, Live All The Way and Fire. You can understand why this is more a project as it allows L Marshall to experiment with different sounds. The track Kiss The Fire has a strong dup step sound and Gas Man has an edgy rock vibe to it while the rest of the project as a collective is almost split in two, with the first half having more rap leading to more singing and softer beats towards the end of the project. Focusbrings a soulful and orchestral feel to the project making it one of the standout tracks on the project as L balances rapping and singing on the track exquisitely. Kiss The Fire shows off L Marshall’s skills as the versatile artist he is with this exciting project.